Former Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, on Saturday, emerged as the new National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
His election came via affirmation by delegates to the ongoing national convention of the party at the Eagle Square in the federal capital, Abuja.
Oshiomhole was affirmed, during the election, from 14 candidates that had vied to succeed John Odigie Oyegun, the outgone chairman.
Saturday’s election of the former Edo Governor was a mere formality as he had almost become a consensus candidate before the vote.
Only on Friday, less than 24 hours to the convention, Dr. Clement Ebri, a former governor of Cross River State, and the last of the gladiators, announced his withdrawal from the race, citing his “desire to ensure rancour-free convention”.
“Following deep consultations with my family, friends, associates, party leaders and other stakeholders in the APC,” Ebri had said, “I have reached the decision to withdraw my candidacy from the race of the national chairmanship of the APC.”
He added that he took the decision out of his desire that all participants needed to “row in the smart rancour-free direction as we approach the general election”.
Before Ebri, Professor Oserheimen Osunbor, another erstwhile governor of Edo State, had quit the race alongside other contestants.
The congress was still ongoing at the time of filing this report.